Ogoni protests escalate in Nigeria as Shell fails to implement UNEP report
Dec 11, 2013
A few weeks ago we were crammed into a small radio station studio in Port Harcourt. We listened with bated breath to our friend Celestine AkpoBari from the Ogoni Solidarity Forum being interviewed. “There is no going back on the 90 day deadline ultimatum delivered to the Nigerian Government and oil companies to implement the...
Tate members AGM dominated again by BP sponsorship controversy
Dec 10, 2013
Sunniva Taylor and Louisa Wright report back from another fiesty session at the Tate Members AGM. This year’s Tate Members AGM on Friday 6th December was once again dominated by controversy about BP sponsorship. Three members announced their resignation and difficult questions were asked about the morality and necessity of ongoing BP sponsorship. Outside...
BP sponsorship provokes Tate Member resignations at AGM
Dec 6, 2013
As Christmas approaches, there’s a lot of Tate social media suggesting that you give the gift of Tate membership to your loved ones this year. But there are a number of Tate members who feel that membership means “just pay your fees and don’t ask questions.” The annual Tate Members AGM looks set to be...
Canadian museum accepts oil sponsor despite censorship
Dec 2, 2013
Last week the Canadian Museum of Civilisation announced it had struck a sponsorship deal with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. It’s easy to see why this will be a PR coup for CAPP. But the Museum CEO’s beaming acceptance of oil money seems like an announcement that no lines will be drawn and no...
Namatjira in London: art and cultural survival
Nov 29, 2013
Taking place here in London, Big hArt’s production of Namatjira offers audiences a poetic engagement with Aboriginal Australia in the heart of the empire responsible for its colonisation. Sharp humour, playful performances and a moving story of a life that spanned most of the 20th century all combine to make a magical and powerful piece of theatre. Scott Rankin’s...
“Why should I forgive you after all that I’ve seen?” Refineries and resistance in Texas
Nov 28, 2013
Over September and October, three Platform staff traveled across North America to promote The Oil Road as well as learn from colleagues and friends there. This is the most recent blog by James Marriott from that trip, but you can also read how James travelled across the ocean by container ship and studied the history...
A Cheque Written in Blood: the Niger Delta remembers Ken Saro-Wiwa
Nov 19, 2013
It’s the middle of the night but I can’t sleep. It’s quiet apart from the dull hum of the aeroplane engine and the erratic, staccato snoring of the man next to me. There’s no need to put on one of the films. It’s the pictures in my mind that are keeping me awake. I see...
Fossil Free EBRD – Tweet Action!
Nov 18, 2013
Tweet #coalfreeEBRD and tell the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to end loans for all dirty energy projects starting with coal. Today, as the United Nations climate talks are taking place in Warsaw, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is attending the International Coal and Climate Summit. This lobby event is organised by...
منظمات مصرية تعارض توجه الحكومة لاستخدام الفحم كمصدر بديل للطاقة
Nov 17, 2013
قلق من توجه الحكومة لاستخدام الفحم كمصدر بديل للطاقة استمرار في استنزاف الموارد والبشر من أجل تضخيم أرباح المستثمرين أعربت المنظمات الموقعة أدناه عن قلقها الشديد من إصرار السيد منير فخري عبد النور وزير الصناعة والتجارة، على استخدام الفحم كبديل للغاز في مصانع الأسمنت والسيراميك، معتبرين أن هذا القرار يفيد قلة من المستثمرين الساعين لتحقيق...
Southbank Centre artists call for Shell to be dropped as sponsor on Ken Saro-Wiwa anniversary
Nov 11, 2013
A group of artists, musicians and authors who have all performed at the Southbank Centre have signed a letter (see below) calling on the arts institution to drop Shell sponsorship on the 18th anniversary of the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 9. The 21 artists, including actor Mark Rylance, playwright Mark Ravenhill, the...
Toxins in the rivers and toxins in the body politic – the battle over Line 9 in Canada
Nov 6, 2013
Mika Minio-Paluello, Anna Galkina and James Marriott travelled in North America as part of a tour over September and October to promote The Oil Road – Journeys from the Caspian to the City of London. The fourth of a series of blogs on the journey comes from James Marriott in Ontario. York University, Toronto, Ontario...
The showcase that “Emboldens” and shakes the “Energetic Apathy”
Nov 4, 2013
Since I joined Platform in July, I have seen the high-spirited Farzana passionately preparing for the “Shake! – Young Voices in Arts, Media, Race & Power course”, organising its different activities and coordinating with other facilitators (Ed, Zena and Sai) in order to make it even better than the previous sessions. The third course was...
